Hear a snippet of "Ambush"
Heart racing. Legs shaking. Sweat beading on the forehead. Multiple spins of Sila and the Afrofunk Experience's Funkiest Man in Africa have left me intoxicated. I have been funk-de-fied by the African and Latin grooves, ripe with reggae and hip-hop.
Funkiest Man in Africa is rooted in the main principles of funk - thick bass lines, one or two guitar riffs (often muted) and syncopated rhythms (think Sly & the Family Stone). By adding Sila's part James Brown/part Swahili vocals, Africanized beats, impeccable horns and indigenous talking drums (thank you percussionist Samba Guisse), Sila & the AFE has created a unque sound: AfroFunk. Sila’s lyrics are often politically charged and heavy, but you'll have no problem losing yourself in the jams, especially on "Ambush" and "Katika (Dance)."
A Kenyan transplant, Sila gives more to the world than just great music. He and his fellow band mates work tirelessly to raise funds for UNICEF.
Sila & the AFE perform at the Concourse Exhibition Center on 6/29 and then again for the 2006 FILLMORE JAZZ FESTIVAL on 7/1. You can also catch them during the 2nd annual Afrofunk Music Festival 7/27 to 7/29.
- Jason Jurgens
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